[07/16/09 - 12:11 PM]Nightline" Is #1 Three Weeks in a Row Among Total Viewers-First Time Since 1996ABC spins the late-night numbers for the week of July 6-10.

[via press release from ABC]

Ratings Report for ABC News' "Nightline"
For the Week of July 6, 2009

NIGHTLINE" IS #1 THREE WEEKS IN A ROW AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS�FIRST TIME SINCE 1996

"NIGHTLINE" GROWS 11% AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS YEAR TO YEAR

For the third consecutive week ABC News' "Nightline" was #1 among Total Viewers, outperforming NBC's "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" and CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," according to Nielsen Media Research for the week of July 6, 2009. This marks the first time since 1996 "Nightline" has placed first for three weeks in a row. Also for the week "Nightline" beat "Conan" and "Letterman" among Adults 25-54. NBC's "The Tonight Show" experienced the program's lowest Total Viewer and A25-54 averages since at least the 1991/ 1992 season.

"Nightline" continues to experience growth season and quarter to date, and year to year. Averaging 3.77 million Total Viewers for the week, "Nightline" grew +11% versus the same week last year as, "Tonight" declined -38%.

Versus the same time periods a year ago, an election year, "Nightline" is up +13% among Total Viewers, +2% among Adults 25-54 and +5% among Adults 18-49 season to date. Quarter to date, the program has grown +17% among Total Viewers and +2% among Adults 18-49.

Topics covered on last week's "Nightline" included: the memorial service of Michael Jackson, Gov. Sarah Palin's sudden resignation, the murder of pro-football player Steve McNair, an investigation into how banks are benefitting from hidden overdraft fees, and a report from the front lines in Afghanistan.

ABC News' "Nightline" is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. John Donvan and Vicki Mabrey are correspondents. James Goldston is the executive producer. The program airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.